Built in 1796, the Kilmainham Gaol (Jail) in Dublin became notorious for the role it played in virtually every painful act of Ireland’s quest for independence. The material used to build the jail was sandstone which wept in bad weather, resulting in damp and grim conditions for its inhabitants. One of the largest unoccupied jails in Europe, Kilmainham Gaol was closed in 1924 and was restored as a museum in the 1960s and provides an informative guide to the country’s history.

After a sobering tour of the prison, lighten the mood with what majority of the people associate Ireland with — Guiness. The Guiness Storehouse has self-guided multi-media exhibits of the brewer’s history, the brewing process, and of course, tastings. This could very well be a beer lover’s version of Disneyland.